Looking at the Cross

In evil long I took delight,
Unaw’d by shame or fear,
Till a new object struck my sight,
And stopp’d my wild career.
I saw one hanging on a tree,
In agonies and blood,
Who fix’d his languid eyes on me,
As near his cross I stood.

Sure never till my latest breath,
Can I forget that look;
It seem’d to charge me with his death,
Though not a word he spoke.
My conscience felt and own’d the guilt,
And plung’d me in despair;
I saw my sins his blood had spilt,
And help’d to nail him there.

Alas! I knew not what I did;
But now my tears are vain;
Where shall my trembling soul be hid?
For I the Lord have slain.
A second look he gave, which said.
“I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid,
I die that thou mayst live.”

Thus while his death my sin displays
In all its blackest hue
(Such is the mystery of grace),
It seals my pardon too.
With pleasing grief and mournful joy,
My spirit now is fill’d,
That I should such a life destroy,
Yet live by him I kill’d.

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Author: Dan Greenfield

I am an undeserving sinner saved by God's grace through Jesus Christ, a happy husband, proud father of 6 great kids, pastor of Orwell Bible Church, Executive Secretary of the American Council of Christian Churches, and member of the Ohio Bible Fellowship .
View all posts by Dan Greenfield

One thought on “Looking at the Cross”

Great truths about our great Savior and our great guilt.
Only eyes opened by Grace can see this beauty in the cross, and in Him who purposely went there. I think that song could well be followed by “In the cross of Christ I glory”.
Preachers, will you preach the cross this week to sinners? Wasn’t it to a pastor that Paul said: “Do the work of an evangelist??” How better can we spark evangelistic zeal among our people than by our example. “…And many of the brethren waxing confident by my bonds are much more bold to speak the word without fear….”